American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association urges action during annual Policy Forum
Washington, DC – The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA), will ask Congress to act on proposals that will improve the orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) profession and the lives of the patients it serves when they convene in Washington DC this week.
During the 2019 AOPA Policy Forum (May 7 and 8), more than 100 O&P providers, patients and stakeholders from 26 states, will urge members of Congress to support crucial legislation and fund programs that restore the lives of those living with limb loss or impairment.
When they meet with members of Congress, O&P advocates will encourage lawmakers to support and enact legislation that helps address the recent Depart of Justice indictments against 24 defendants responsible for losses to Medicare through fraudulent schemes involving lead generation marketing to deliver medically unnecessary or unwanted orthoses. To do this, legislation would need to distinguish O&P patient care encounters from durable medical equipment, re-assert the congressional definition of “minimal self adjustment” for off the shelf orthotics, and exempt licensed and certified O&P providers from competitive bid contracts.
They will also ask them to enact the Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act which was introduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D IL) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Representative Matt Cartwright (D PA) last week. This bill improves O&P care for wounded warriors by ensuring an adequate workforce through grants provided to O&P education programs.
“Together we will ask for common sense solutions that are focused on patients,” said Eve Lee AOPA’s Executive Director. “Whether it’s improving patient access to quality O&P care, defending patients against fraudulent practices, or shoring up the future workforce, we will ask for legislation that affords, safe, effective, patient-centered orthotic and prosthetic care.”
